1858-C $2.50 (1858-C Quarter Eagle) PCGS AU58 CAC. This beautiful Southern branch mint 1858-C Quarter Eagle has none of the planchet roughness that is common for this date. The coin is fully struck and shows full details on the highest point of Libertys hair, the centers of most of the stars, the eagles neck, shield, and lower feathers. Bright mint luster shines from within the devices. The grade of AU58 is confirmed by CAC, assuring the premium quality of this coin.

In the 1790s gold was accidentally discovered in North Carolina. The first United States Gold Rush took place in the early 1800s in North Carolina and Georgia. In the area around Charlotte, North Carolina almost 100 gold mines were in operation. Second only to farming, prospecting for gold became the main source of employment in North Carolina. The most gold produced in the United States came from North Carolina until 1848, when it was discovered in California.

The gold that was produced at Charlotte had to be refined and standardized so it would have commercial value. Private mints like the Bechtlers and Templeton Reids opened to assay the new gold and convert it to coinage. In order to standardize this coinage and because transportation to Philadelphia was so poor as a result of bandits, unfriendly Indians, and poor roads, a branch mint in Charlotte was opened in 1836.

All Charlotte Mint coins have the C mintmark on the reverse except for the first two years quarter and half eagles, which had them on the obverse between the truncation and the date.

In its population report PCGS has certified 9 1858-C quarter eagles in AU58 with 28 better. As of April 2011, CAC has confirmed 3 with none better.